Hello Friends!
Happy National Coming Out Day!
I might have mentioned this before, so don't worry if you have the question:
"Hey Kyle, I know you've mentioned this before, but what in the heck is coming out?"
Because I'll remind you,
Coming out of the closet otherwise known as coming out is:
When you tell others (or come to terms with your identity and let yourself know) that you identify as part of the LGBTQQIA+ community.
Another question you might be asking:
"Well, why the heck would we celebrate that? Thousands of people come out every day at any given moment. What makes it so special?"
Because we still aren't seen as the norm. A lot of us have to come out all day everyday, and it can be really difficult, and scary, so its cool to be able to celebrate it. Also, if you haven't come out or don't want to come out because of circumstances or just for any reason, you can read people's stories, maybe see how they came out. It can give hope to people who feel hopeless and aren't in safe situations. Also, its a day where you can come out if you haven't yet, but want to. Or you can give others support and love when they share their stories.
I wanted to do my part on NCOD,
So I asked a couple of friends of mine to share their stories here.
I hope y'all appreciate them as much as I do.
Name: Amara
Pronouns: She/her/hers
School: UMASS Boston
Likes: Witchcraft, videogames, aliens, and music :)
Dislikes: Bigotry, straight white boys, mushroom pizza
About me: I am a transgender woman of color going to school to become involved with social justice movements in the United States and around the world. I want to do everything in my power to help the world become a safe haven for all people, of all creeds, races, religions, sexualities, nationalities, and genders.
Coming Out Story: I came out in a fight with my dad when I was 14 years old. My friend was over and my dad was arguing with me incessantly about something, I can't remember the specifics. But it escalated and he was yelling at me about being a man and how I'm weak and feminine and so I snapped and yelled at him that I wasn't a man to begin with. Surprisingly, my dad responded with "I know."
Not in a condescending way, but in a very matter-of-factly way, with a sad look in his eyes. Since then, he and my other parents (stepmom and stepdad) have been incredibly supportive of me. I've had all of the cards stacked against me since birth, but for whatever reason, I've managed to make it this far, with only a couple dents and scratches. So I consider myself to be privileged, even if I'm not privileged in the traditional sense.
Pronouns: She/her/hers
School: UMASS Boston
Likes: Witchcraft, videogames, aliens, and music :)
Dislikes: Bigotry, straight white boys, mushroom pizza
About me: I am a transgender woman of color going to school to become involved with social justice movements in the United States and around the world. I want to do everything in my power to help the world become a safe haven for all people, of all creeds, races, religions, sexualities, nationalities, and genders.
Coming Out Story: I came out in a fight with my dad when I was 14 years old. My friend was over and my dad was arguing with me incessantly about something, I can't remember the specifics. But it escalated and he was yelling at me about being a man and how I'm weak and feminine and so I snapped and yelled at him that I wasn't a man to begin with. Surprisingly, my dad responded with "I know."
Not in a condescending way, but in a very matter-of-factly way, with a sad look in his eyes. Since then, he and my other parents (stepmom and stepdad) have been incredibly supportive of me. I've had all of the cards stacked against me since birth, but for whatever reason, I've managed to make it this far, with only a couple dents and scratches. So I consider myself to be privileged, even if I'm not privileged in the traditional sense.
Name: Julyn
Pronouns: she/her/hers
School: UMass Boston
Likes: food, new friends, reading, writing, anime, music, and sweet things.
Dislikes: Rude people, country music, bitter things.
About me: Hey y'all, my mame's Julyn and I identify as bi. When I was young, I was never ashamed of being lgbtq, but was afraid to come out because I never heard anyone in my family talk about being lgbtq in a positive way.
Coming Out Story: I came out to my father last year after thinking on it for a while and it went well. I came out to a few other family members and that got me thinking about coming out; how we come out, why we come out, and who we come out to.
We come out for a variety of different reasons, and stay in for many of the same. Because of culture, because of finances, because of housing, because of family, friends, or significant others, because we're scared, because we're not, because we want to, because we shouldn't have to.
Who we come out to, when we come to them, and we do it, plus the above factors can have an affect on how our coming out is received.
Coming out to the few people I did, and getting different reactions from both them and myself, made me realize that I hated it. Coming out isn't a one time thing, but a process that we repeat to different people in different parts of our lifes. l realized that I didn't want to come out to everyone, and that I shouldn't have to. Coming out isn't a requirement of being lgbtq, and it sure isn't required of straight people.
Come to who you want to, or don't at all, maybe you don't even have a closet, maybe you'd like to but something or a lot of things are holding you back. Regardless of your closet status, if you have one, your choice is valid and the best one for you. Happy national coming out day to those that are out, don't yet know they're lgbtq, know they can't or won't ever come out, are partially out, and out to everyone they know, and those that don't feel the need to.
Pronouns: she/her/hers
School: UMass Boston
Likes: food, new friends, reading, writing, anime, music, and sweet things.
Dislikes: Rude people, country music, bitter things.
About me: Hey y'all, my mame's Julyn and I identify as bi. When I was young, I was never ashamed of being lgbtq, but was afraid to come out because I never heard anyone in my family talk about being lgbtq in a positive way.
Coming Out Story: I came out to my father last year after thinking on it for a while and it went well. I came out to a few other family members and that got me thinking about coming out; how we come out, why we come out, and who we come out to.
We come out for a variety of different reasons, and stay in for many of the same. Because of culture, because of finances, because of housing, because of family, friends, or significant others, because we're scared, because we're not, because we want to, because we shouldn't have to.
Who we come out to, when we come to them, and we do it, plus the above factors can have an affect on how our coming out is received.
Coming out to the few people I did, and getting different reactions from both them and myself, made me realize that I hated it. Coming out isn't a one time thing, but a process that we repeat to different people in different parts of our lifes. l realized that I didn't want to come out to everyone, and that I shouldn't have to. Coming out isn't a requirement of being lgbtq, and it sure isn't required of straight people.
Come to who you want to, or don't at all, maybe you don't even have a closet, maybe you'd like to but something or a lot of things are holding you back. Regardless of your closet status, if you have one, your choice is valid and the best one for you. Happy national coming out day to those that are out, don't yet know they're lgbtq, know they can't or won't ever come out, are partially out, and out to everyone they know, and those that don't feel the need to.
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